A PlayDay is a day designed to draw attention to a range of play activities, while providing an opportunity for children, families, members of the community, and teachers to share in physical and mental challenges without facing the pressure of winning or losing a game. PlayDays can range from massive park events for thousands of children and…

More than four million children spent part of summer 1984 at a day or resident camp. The age, interests, and activities enjoyed by the child should be considered when choosing a camp. Advice about finding the right camp from meeting the director to refund policies are discussed. (MT)

Recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics discuss components of the medical program for children's camps and provide guidelines for the camper's annual or biennial physical examination, maintenance of health records, health screenings on camper arrival and departure, daily health surveillance, camp health care facilities, and children…

When choosing a summer camp program for a disabled child, parents should look for programs and activities that present the child with a maximum challenge that can be met successfully. After checking agencies with information on various camps, parents should consider the camp's facilities, philosophy, resources, and staff. (CB)

This revised edition of a 1961 publication outlines the steps involved in establishing a new day camp, and presents guidelines for day camp operation. Four chapters cover: (1) preliminary decisions and planning for a new camp; (2) site selection, legal and regulatory considerations, and property management; (3) deciding on buildings and equipment…

The third book in a 5-book manual on day camping discusses the campers themselves. Section I provides a case study of the pre-school camper and the counselor. Section II addresses the needs and characteristics of children from ages 6-12 and describes what children need from parents, teachers, playmates, and community. Section III discusses the…

Book IV in a 5-book day camp manual discusses the camp program. Section I describes the organization, definition, and elements essential to successful day camp programs. Section II, which addresses the benefits and special considerations of mass programs, includes rainy day contingencies, materials to have on hand, and activity suggestions.…

The final book in a 5-book day camp manual is a questionnaire developed by the Ontario Camping Association to help directors of children's summer day camps check camp operations, principles, and procedures, and to help them determine how and where a camp can be improved. The questionnaire, to be completed by the director with the aid of another…

A camp program is described which reflects the Young Men's Christian Association's traditional commitment to the development of the whole person, introducing the development of a "wellness" lifestyle. A wellness lifestyle is described as one that involves living fully and abundantly while recognizing and assuming responsibility for one's…